Lexus RX 400h and 450h

wizzardnine

My dealer still has not notified me about what colors are available. I also can't find it on the Lexus web pages. I even called Lexus headquarters in the US and they did not know although someone tried to find out for me. She indicated that it would probably be the 2005 RX330 colors minus the Black Forest Pearl and the Breakwater Blue Metallic. Does anyone know where to look....or???

tfb1

If you go to this URL:
http://pressroom.toyota.com/photo_library/display_text.html?kw=MY06+RX400h+specs

Click on 2006 RX 400h Product Information

Alternatively, try this:
http://pressroom.toyota.com/presstxt/2006lexuskit/2006lex400h-2_s.pdf

In it, you will find all of the specs and colors. The palatte isn't dazzling--gold, silver, grey, black, etc. I picked the neptune blue mica.

lexrexblue

I think you don't have a great dealer! They've known the colors since last year! Yes, it is the same as the 330 colors minus the breakwater blue and the forest green. The dealer should have asked you for colors already, unless you're way down on the list.

dylan hixon

I hope that is not true. I am number 5 on the list with a large dealer in New York, and they tell me that they will not take color preference ahead of time, but the sales manager will call down the list when the cars arrive, and offer all cars to those on the list in order. If they actually do that it is better, because you don't have to commit to any color combination, you just get to choose from all remaining cars. If you don't see one you like, wait for the next month's allocation.

We will see how it actually works. I am a lot more flexible than my wife because I want a car the first month, so I have that to contend with as well.

electrictroy

"I know it takes regular unleaded fuel, but will it take 10% ethanol blend?"

.

All new cars are required by government law to accept E10 gasoline.

troy

lexrexblue

My dealer told me that they were asked to find out what color combinations people wanted. Then, they requested those colors. I actually went in and looked at the color combinations. I have been told that my car is in the first batch (whatever that means). I ordered the car last April and I'm my number is in the 30s.

hybrat

Hmmm ..... no one appreciates a riddle.

"Its the only place in the world where you can build a RX400h, though none are built there (unlike the RX330)?"

The answer is Canada.

It has the only lexus website in the world where you can build your own RX400h

www.lexus.ca

Plus they manufacture RX330s here, but are building the RX400s in Japan...... :-)

But check out the website. You can download brochures about the RX400, look at colors etc. which you can't do on the US website. It seems to me to be pretty much the same version they'll be selling in the US.

dylan hixon

I just talked to my sister in LA, and she was told she might be able to take delivery of her car Monday. My dealer in New York said they will get one car next Friday, and the rest of their first month's allocation of 30 cars by the end of the month.

Damn, I wish we were closer to Japan.

lexrexblue

I was at the dealer yesterday (14th) and they expected the car (to display) today. It is in and is on display for people to see.

skyfish400h

as an engineer I found this article to be quite good...

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3012/is_2_185/ai_n12937475

lots of insight into the design trades and differences from the 330

markrogo

... so I checked in with my dealer and I'm one line below the cutoff on the list for the "first batch".

But truthfully, they could accommodate me if I take my second choice color. Or I could be first on the "second batch" and get my first-choice color.

So I think I'm going to wait till May....

kenlex41

Does anyone know when in May the second batch is scheduled to arrive?

krellu

The second batch arrives at the port in Newark, N.J. on April 21st.

bizzie

Is it safe to assume that the dealers are not goign to budge form the MSRP?
Has anyone experienced otherwise?

marmadmax

Unless you find a Dealer who tries to get above MSRP, a Dealer would be foolish to to drop below this number. He could take my order and turn around and resell it in a flash. My Dealer told me nine months ago that the price would be MSRP, not a penny higher or lower - that was in the contact.

If you find a Dealer willing to go below MSRP, please let us all know.

wwest

told me that they had stopped calling the "wait list" people since most of them were no longer interested. He said the most common explanation was they voiced concern over the reason for the many production delays and now wanted to wait and see.

My guess would be that many of the dealers made it too easy to get on the list.

A $500 deposit, fully refundable, isn't a severe restraint, "filter", for this class of customer.

lexrexblue

Interesting information. Mine is in the first batch, but the dealer had no idea when it would arrive! I was at the port Sunday and didn't see any. So, when did the first batch arrive? Or, are you including the 2 each dealer is receiving for the 20th?

krellu

The dealer said the first batch arrived on 4/7/05, the 2 week allocation.

markrogo

It's not that they've all been delivered, it's that the dealer knows what cars they are getting and has been allocating them accordingly.

kenlex41

I test drove one yesterday, and I have to say it is awesome. I can't believe how smooth the car drives. It is weird to start the car because you don't hear the engine. I kept holding the key expecting to hear the starter kick in. The salesman I am working with was as excited as I was to finally see them. They must have had 4-5 on the lot, in addition to the tester, waiting for their owners to pick them up. Mine is coming in 2 weeks, and I can hardly wait. :shades:

plee1

This person would not seem to be a good salesman. Even if the circumstances are as reported, the fact is that the waiting list would be an invaluable indicator of expressed interest in the vehicle. Even if "most" people were no longer interested, that still means that some would still be interested. Are you suggesting that a car salesman, who spends a great deal of time with no good prospects unless someone is actually walking into their showroom, would decline to pursue a good lead?

As a corollary, imagine how angry a customer would be if they were never contacted off the waiting list if they in fact did still want to buy the car. This salesman is simply not credible.

wwest

One, spending hours on the phone, with constant rejection, is not a whole lot of fun. Two, the supply is short. Most salespersons would have in personal memory the number of prospects truly interested in the vehicle. For instance were I truly interested I buy parts at the dealer often enough that I would be dropping by to see my salesperson each time.

I suspect, that once there are RX400h vehicles for sale and not just demos, I will be getting calls from salespersons here, in Portland, and from a salesman in the LA region that once lived here.

One further note.

Many years ago Bill Cosby had a serious deposit on a new, SCARCE, Porsche 911 model. When it arrived at the port the then head of PCNA, Fred Swhab(??) decided his wife needed it. Word was Bill got some serious compensation, in like a FREE car. I just read somewhere that the first dealer RX400h demo got allocated to a friend of the manager.

But I admit, so many dealers doing sales seemingly "first come, first serve", is a puzzling development all things considered.

vauvrille

Hi,
Maybe a little update from the Europe and in particular from France where we are still waiting to be able to order the RH400h. I have been able to see it in Geneva for the Motor Show last march and to seat in it. I can't wait to drive it.
Anyone had this chance already?

markrogo

.... (this post was deleted, so I edited it and I'm reposting)

At my dealer, where I'm actually going to be a customer, exactly one person ahead of me canceled.

And because color preference matching means not everyone is taking their car in order, I asked the guy, "Well, can I see them as they come in..." And he said, "You could, but no car is going to be here for more than a few hours until someone comes in to take it."

They are 100% sure of a complete sellout for the foreseeable future, as is their sister dealership (which is one of the two largest in the USA). A relative of mine who owns a Lexus checked in with the other top two Lexus dealer and reports the very same thing.

So, no matter how badly the naysayers want to believe this, the car is a sellout. A blockbuster. Period.

My reports are from Northern Calif, Southern Calif and South Fla

chicho

Can anyone provide me some details before I make up my mind.

1, What's the hell is "part time AWD" and "not for off-road driving". does it handle snow and muddy condition like RX330?

2. Does it provide "engine break" while going downhill? To me it's a must have while go to Tahoe for a ski trip.

Thanks in Advance!!

falconone

I knew that would be the case. Anyone who thinks otherwise is quite foolish. I'm waiting for the GS hybrid to come out. Now that should be interesting. All the other manufacturers (aside from Honda) must be scratching their heads!!! LOL!!!!!!!!!!!! :confuse:

markatty

I drove the RX 400 yesterday under the watchful eye of the salesman and with the plastic still on the seats. Interestingly, I rode down in a friends RX330 and drove that right afterwards. Bottom line there is not that much difference. There is noticeably more acceleration in the 400, but not a huge difference. The coolest part was the salesman backing it out of the service bay. The only sound was the slight squish of the tires on the painted floor, it was actually a little eerie. Inside its also quite, and you don't really notice the gas engine kicking in at 25 mph. The one thing that might become an irritant is it takes 5 - 10 seconds after you turn the key for the car to "boot-up". When it is ready to go a light on the dash let's you know, which you otherwise wouldn't, because the car is still dead quiet.

I think I've got a deal worked out where I can have it by mid-May. It's a cool car.

ken6

This tracks with what I am hearing from the two different dealers where I am on the waiting list. In Minneapolis I am number 300. In Scottsdale I am number 180. Both dealers have called me in the past week and indicated that we could expect that we could be getting a car as soon as two months from now - before we were being told next year or at the very earliest the end of this year. Odd. It also may have something to do with the Savanna Metalic color my wife wants - My read of the dealer is that this isn't the most popular color and that may be one of the reasons we're moving up so fast. Anyone else experiencing this sudden rise in their spot on the waiting list. And just what am I going to do with TWO 400H's?

lexrexblue

Actually, I'm number 34, but the color is the issue. I read that Lexus was only making 4% in my color, but when I looked at my dealer's list of colors wanted, many people wanted that color. Therefore, I may have to wait until the end of May. They do have a Savannah coming in soon. Supposedly Lexus built many of those, but it isn't in such a high demand. I guess Lexus needs to get a better handle on what colors people want in different areas. It could vary by regions of the country.

lss

Dear Lexrerblue,

Does one suppose you ordered blue? Only 4% If so bummer, as blue is my first choice.

Actually I wst not even on the list, untl a two days ago, at least not with the 2000$ deposit the dealership wanted, but have had money, $500 at two toyota dealerships for the highlander hybrid. But the salesman called me the other day to say that several folks on the list has decided against the rx400h and that a few were available, none with rear dvd nor mark levenson. I had mentioned last month that neither of those options were important to me. So as of two days ago I am number three of any 'spares'' they have ordered.. apparently the vast majority of folks wank those two options, which I do not, lucky me..otherwise it would be a year or at least many months.

Now assuming I like the test drive - hopefully this weekend, and the 'spares' are coming in a few weeks, early May, I will get this car.. Now what about those highlanders.. I still can not decide it the rx is just too over the top.

rxexpert

I'VE GOT SOME BAD NEWS FOR ALL YOU PEOPLE ON "LISTS" NO ONE IS GOING TO SEE THIS CAR UNLESS THEY ARE WILLING TO WRITE A BIG CHECK FOR OVER LIST!!!!! THAT'S THE REALITY OF THE WHOLE PROGRAM. I'M A LEXUS SALES PROFESSIONAL (TOP 10 IN THE COUNTRY) AND THIS CAR IS GOING FOR CLOSE TO $60000 IN MOST MARKETS. YOU WOULD BE STEALING THIS CAR AT LIST IF YOU COULD GET ONE. THINK OF THE RESALE VALUE. DON'T BE A FOOL YOU CAN PAY THE PRICE AND RIDE THE TRAIN OR HOLD THE LIST IN YOUR HAND.GET OUT YOUR CHECK BOOKS AND DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME ON EDMUNDS. THIS ISN'T COOLING OFF.NOW THAT THE VEHICLES ARE ARRIVING AT DEALERS IT IS GOING TO BE FUN.

lexrexblue

Yes, you guessed it. I'm waiting for blue. I was amazed to see at least 5 requests for blue on the small board. They have a "build" date, but not a "boat" date. In the end it will be worth the wait. Good luck getting yours. Maybe there isn't such a long list where you're located. Unfortunately, NJ is full of long long lists.

rx400girl

I received the call on Friday April 8th that the RX400s were coming in 10 days! Because of such high demand, everyone who was called were invited to come down to the dealership, choose from the color/package options, and "buy" the car with a $5000 deposit. They had my color available - Flint Mica/Lt Grey Int - so I figured I had nothing to lose.

Can't wait to test drive on Friday before I sign on the dotted line. I'll keep you posted on how it goes once we get her home.

PS_ I gave them my name in November of 2003, so I ended up being #2 on the list. Can't believe someone was ahead of me!!

:shades:

markrogo

... the largest Lexus dealer in my area is selling the car at list price. So is its sister dealership. This is for people on the list, who were promised the car at that price.

This is called a contractual arrangement, and its being filled all over the country.

Oddly, I, too, am waiting for blue.

plee1

As for timing, I was told many months ago that I would come off the waiting list June/July and was recently told the end of this month. I was about 60 on the waiting list. My color selection was flint mica/black -- I don't know how popular that is. So the waiting list is probably a bit soft, but I don't find that too surprising. I got on the waiting list last summer, so it is not surprising that some people ahead of me would have already purchased other cars or changed their minds. But neither do I think that it fortells a mass exodus away from this vehicle.

Kirstie_H

Well, the info you've provided goes against the reports we're getting from consumers already. It seems like most dealers are being reasonable, and are not jacking up the price - you can burn a desperate consumer once, but not usually twice. Hopefully, they're thinking about longer-term sales.

(PS - please turn off your CAPS LOCK. It makes your posts hard to read, and people think you're shouting at them.)

electrictroy

"They are 100% sure of a complete sellout for the foreseeable future..... So, no matter how badly the naysayers want to believe this, the car is a sellout. A blockbuster. Period. "

.

No, not "period". The Insight Hybrid I drive was a "complete sellout" too when it first showed up.... but only for about 6 months. Then it started collecting dust on dealers' lots, and $5000 markdowns. Now it only sells 500 a year... pretty much a flop.

You can't predict the long-term success of the Lexus Hybrid on the data we have so far. You need to wait at least a year to see if it maintains the current popularity.

troy

markatty

The Honda Insight was a funny little car without a lot of power, that only appealed to your ardent environmentalist. The 400 is a luxury car with decent performance. Its a car that Paris Hilton could pull-up to a red carpet and not feel embarassed. Also gas is going to stay high with the growth of China and other economies so 400 drivers will look prescient. Bottom line it will be success for at least the next three years barring battery problems or other image problems.

vauvrille

Thanks! This is very exciting.

I am however quite astonished by the fact that it needs 5 to 10 seconds after you turn the key on before you are allowed to run. Seems indeed weird and not very practical.

There is something else I have noticed (on the RX300 in France) about the electric boot. When activated, it is actually very hard to stop the mecanism. Let's say for instance that the boot starts to close automatically and you leave your arm on purpose to see what happends when the door reaches it. Well the answer is that it takes quite a lot of strenght to stop the boot from closing. Which means that you would better watch your childrens when activating the automatic mecanism. Did anyone else experience this?

ctsang

You are right Insight is not selling well but not because it's a hybrid. Take a look at Prius which gets sold out fast.

plee1

I just spoke to my salesman (at a Washington, DC area dealer). He confirmed that price would be MSRP, plus Lexus destination charge, plus dealer $195 processing fee, plus cost of tags, plus applicable tax.

lenscap

If the RX follows the Prius it will no doubt be a success. Sales of the Prius in March 2005 were 10,236, a whopping jump over Prius sales in March 2004 of 3,778 (this current model was introduced in October 2003).

electrictroy

"The Honda Insight was a funny little car without a lot of power, that only appealed to your ardent environmentalist. The 400 is a luxury car with decent performance. Also gas is going to stay high with the growth of China and other economies so 400 drivers will look prescient."

.

My point was that the car *could* eventually make a downturn (like the Civic Hybrid). You can't gauge long-term success, simply because there's a huge *initial* response. It might just be temporary.

BTW, if you're right about oil, rather than spend ~$40,000 on this Lexus, I think I'm going to invest my money in oil stock..... I'm make far more money that way.

troy

markatty

vauvrille
When I said "boot-up" I wasn't referring to the rear hatch or boot (as in the UK), but to the fact that like a computer, the car seems to have to boot-up, i.e. get its electonics working before you can use it. As someone said we are two countries separated by a common language.

electrictroy
I agree that initial success is no guarantor of long term success and its possible that the car may have a downturn in popularity, but I don't think so. The RX-330 is very popular, so people like the outside and the interior. Also I think Toyota will follow its Prius approach and keep production below demand so hybrids it should keep their air of exclusivity. (Anybody know whether the profit margin is higher on a 400 or on an RX-330? I'm guessing even at the higher price the 400 has a lower profit margin.)

On the flip side I walked in to a dealer this morning and was able to buy one for delivery in early May. I'd be very interested in knowing how many of the 9,000 or 12,000 people on the waiting list actually end up buying one. I wouldn't be surprised if the over:under wasn't around 50 - 60%.

Kirstie_H

Don't forget tonight's member-to-member chat - it's open mic night, so come and discuss whatever's on your mind.

6-7pm PT/9-10pm ET. Drop by for live chat with other members. Hope you can join us!

kirstie_h

Kirstie_H

A reporter would like to hear from anyone on the Lexus RX 400h waiting list. Please respond to jfallon@edmunds.com by Tuesday, April 26, 2005 with your daytime contact info and any brief comments you care to share about your experience so far.

exfrog

I am flying to Omaha from LA on Friday to pick up my 400h. I was second on the list but the first did not want white(white is the fourth most popular U.S. color.) I'll be driving back to Ca. immediately so I will let everyone know if the car is everything it's cracked up to be. Lou

krellu

I spoke to my salesman last night. He has a flint mica/black rx400h for me .
I should have it within 3 weeks.

dogsambam

We have an 05 RX330, and we were going to get a second one to replace my BMW. I have an opportunity to get a 400h quickly for MSRP, but I do not know if I can truly justify the price difference. Is the gas mileage that much better, because it seems like it is going to take a long time to justify the extra money. Or is it just the novelty of having the Hybrid? Most people I have spoken to, including my dealer friend agree that it is more of a novelty item. By the way we love the RX either way.

marmadmax

I don't want to be the first to complain, and this may also be an issue with the RX 330, but it is not in the RX 300 that I have, but if you have long legs, you may in for trouble. The driver's seat in the 400h barely tracks back far enough to accomodate my wife who in our RX 300 has the driver's seat track position far forward relative to my position.

I go in our 400h today for the first time. My wife had the seat settings already in place for her comfort. So when I got in and started the car, everything moved to her pre-set positions. When I tried to move the seat back, it was as far back as it would go! My only option to try to get a little move leg room was to raise the bottom seat cushion a little. And, there is still a huge amount of leg room remaining in the rear. I just don't get it. I mentioned it to my wife and she said she thought it was strange that the seat would not go back any further than where she had set it.

Maybe there is a problem with our seat. I will certainly take it in to have it looked at.

Does anyone with a RX 330 (or their new 400h have a similar problem)

Thanks.